Textual Analysis Of A Biblical Text

In the 1990s a popular theory arose that the psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd’s 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz could be played simultaneously to create moments where the song lyrics described events within the movie. This simultaneous playing is often called The Dark Side of the Rainbow and is considered an instance of apophenia, which is the tendency to find consequential patterns between unrelated things (Merriam-Webster). What is different about the Biblical texts is although the individual author’s purposes for writing may vary, there is some form of a main idea or storyline.
That theme begins in Genesis, in the Protevangelum (3:15), sought in the child of promise (22:18) and fulfilled in Jesus

Bauckham even acknowledges this point since narrative theology understands the Bible to make a universal claim from the authority of a universal God (48). Therefore, there are more than a few strengths if a person understands the stories within the text to be a part of the whole saga. However, the variety of textual genres present in the Biblical text can create a difficulty for this view. Specifically, the fact that not all Biblical texts can be categorized as being narrative and many of the narratives do not fit this overarching narrative. This is, in fact, one of the first things that Bauckham points out (38 & 39). A few examples would include, the book of Job, the story of Judah and Tamar (Gen. 38), Song of Songs, many of the Psalms and episodes of violence and revenge like

One of the most prevalent forms of Bible reading is what he calls Morsels of Blessing and Promises (45). This kind of reading has served to divorce a passage from its context, and its interpretations are self-dependent. Incorporating the idea of narrative theology into a person’s reading brings passages back into their context. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1 NASB) is returned to its location of answering the dilemmas posed in chapter 7. Narrative theology offers the contemporary Church the freedom the put passages back into their context, both in their chapter and book, but also into the whole